The Need

Although the San Francisco Bay Area, where My New Red Shoes was founded, is one of the most affluent areas in the country, more than 150,000 children live below the Federal poverty line.

As the economy grows rapidly all along the West coast, so does the number of families experiencing economic hardship.

In Oregon, one in five children live in poverty.

When homeless or low-income families grapple with food insecurity, paying medical expenses or finding stable housing, they struggle to provide their children with the basic necessities of appropriate school clothing.

Without access to clean, appropriate, and well-fitted shoes and clothing, thousands of disadvantaged students miss school every day.

Students who attend school in ill-fitting or tattered clothing, often feel undervalued, disconnected, and unseen, setting the stage for low self-esteem and classroom engagement.

The lack of adequate clothing and footwear also results in children and youth being socially excluded or bullied by their peers.

Since 2006, My New Red Shoes has worked to close the clothing gap for children and youth in-need through our Clothing for Confidence Program. Beyond providing the necessities of new shoes and clothing, we strive to create long-term impact by boosting self-esteem and confidence, providing a sense of normalcy, increasing school attendance, engagement and readiness, and improving the overall educational experience and quality of life of our community’s poorest students.

For children who are feeling disconnected, our gift is a reminder that we see them, and that they belong to a community that cares.